BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Children's bouncers are used to provide a seat for a child that entertains or soothes
the child by oscillating upward and downward in a way that mimics a parent or caretaker
holding the infant in their arms and bouncing the infant gently. A typical children's
bouncer includes a seat portion that is suspended above a support surface (e.g., a
floor) by a support frame. The support frame typically includes a base portion configured
to rest on the support surface and semi-rigid support arms that extend above the base
frame to support the seat portion above the support surface. In these embodiments,
an excitation force applied to the seat portion of the children's bouncer frame will
cause the bouncer to vertically oscillate at the natural frequency of the bouncer.
For example, a parent may provide an excitation force by pushing down on the seat
portion of the bouncer, deflecting the support frame, and releasing the seat portion.
In this example, the seat portion will bounce at its natural frequency with steadily
decreasing amplitude until the bouncer comes to rest. Similarly, the child may provide
an excitation force by moving while in the seat portion of the bouncer (e.g., by kicking
its feet).
[0002] A drawback of the typical bouncer design is that the bouncer will not bounce unless
an excitation force is repeatedly provided by a parent or the child. In addition,
as the support arms of typical bouncers must be sufficiently rigid to support the
seat portion and child, the amplitude of the oscillating motion caused by an excitation
force will decrease to zero relatively quickly. As a result, the parent or child must
frequently provide an excitation force in order to maintain the motion of the bouncer.
Alternative bouncer designs have attempted to overcome this drawback by using various
motors to oscillate a children's seat upward and downward. For example, in one design,
a DC motor and mechanical linkage is used to raise a child's seat up and down. In
another design, a unit containing a DC motor powering an eccentric mass spinning about
a shaft is affixed to a bouncer. The spinning eccentric mass creates a centrifugal
force that causes the bouncer to bounce at a frequency soothing to the child.
[0003] These designs, however, often generate an undesirable amount of noise, have mechanical
components prone to wear and failure, and use power inefficiently. Thus, there remains
a need in the art for a children's bouncer that will bounce repeatedly and is self-driven,
quiet, durable, and power efficient. Furthermore, there is a need for an improved
motion sensing apparatus that can be adapted for use with such bouncers in order to
accurately and reliably sense the frequency of a bouncer's oscillation and actively
provide feedback indicative of the sensed frequency to a control system configured
to drive the motion of the bouncer based, at least in part, on the sensing apparatus'
feedback.
[0004] In addition, existing bouncer designs are generally limited to providing a bouncing
motion that is distinct from certain motions infants experience in a prenatal state,
or in a post-natal state, such as when being nursed or otherwise held closely by a
parent or caregiver. As a result, the sensation resulting from the motion provided
by exiting bouncer designs may not be soothing to all infants. Accordingly, there
is a need in the art for an infant support configured to provide a soothing sensation
to a child positioned within the infant support that differs from the typical bouncing
motion provided by existing bouncer designs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a motion sensing apparatus
for a moving child support device. According to various embodiments, the motion sensing
apparatus comprises a housing defining a longitudinal axis, at least one piezoelectric
sensor having a sensing surface positioned within the housing, and a weighted member
positioned within the housing and configured for movement within the housing in the
direction of the housing's longitudinal axis. The weighted member is configured to
apply a variable force to the sensing surface of the piezoelectric sensor in response
to movement of the motion sensing apparatus, while the piezoelectric sensor is configured
to output a voltage signal corresponding to the magnitude of the variable force applied
by the weighted member. The resulting output voltage signal is indicative of the motion
sensing apparatus's movement with respect to the housing's longitudinal axis.
[0006] Various other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a bouncer control
device for controlling the generally upward and downward motion of a children's bouncer.
According to various embodiments, the bouncer control device comprises a drive assembly
configured to be actuated by electric current in order to impart a motive force on
the children's bouncer that causes the children's bouncer to bounce, a power supply
configured to transmit electric current to the drive assembly, a piezoelectric motion
sensor configured to sense the natural frequency of the children's bouncer and generate
a frequency signal representative of the natural frequency; and a bouncer control
circuit configured to receive the frequency signal from the piezoelectric motion sensor;
and to generate a control signal, based at least in part on the received frequency
signal, that causes the power supply to intermittently supply electric current to
the drive assembly and thereby causes the drive assembly to impart a motive force
on the children's bouncer that causes the bouncer to bounce at a frequency substantially
equal to the natural frequency.
[0007] Various other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a control device
for an infant support configured for providing a soothing sensation for a child position
in the infant support. According to various embodiments, the control device comprises
a drive assembly configured to impart repetitive pulse forces to the infant support
with a magnitude sufficient for the pulses to be felt by a child positioned in the
infant support, and a control circuit configured to actuate the drive assembly and
cause the drive assembly to impart the repetitive pulse forces on the infant support
at a frequency analogous to the frequency of a resting human heartbeat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily
drawn to scale, and wherein:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a children's bouncer according to one embodiment
of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the interior of a bouncer control device according
to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows another perspective view of the interior of a bouncer control device
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the interior of a bouncer control device
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a motion sensing apparatus, amplifier, and bouncer
control circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6A shows a graph indicating the motion of a bouncer seat over a certain period
of time according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6B shows a graph indicating a frequency indicative signal generated by a motion
sensing apparatus and an amplifier in response to the motion indicated in Figure 6A
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6C shows a graph indicating electrical pulses triggered by a bouncer control
circuit to drive a children's bouncer in response to receiving the frequency indicative
signal shown in Figure 6B according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This
invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed
as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided
so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope
of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout.
[0010] As shown in Figure 1, various embodiments of the present invention are directed to
a children's bouncer apparatus
10 for providing a controllable bouncing seat for a child. The apparatus
10 includes a support frame
20, seat assembly
30, and bouncer control device
40.
Support Frame & Seat Assembly
[0011] According to various embodiments, the support frame
20 is a resilient member forming a base portion
210 and one or more support arms
220. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more flat non-skid members
213,
214 are affixed to the base portion
210 of the support frame
20. The flat non-skid members
213,
214 are configured to rest on a support surface and provide a stable platform for the
base portion
210. The one or more support arms
220 are arcuately shaped and extend upwardly from the base portion
210. The support arms
220 are configured to support the seat assembly
30 by suspending the seat assembly
30 above the base portion
210. The support arms
220 are semi-rigid and configured to resiliently deflect under loading. Accordingly,
the seat assembly
30 will oscillate substantially vertically in response to an exciting force, as shown
by the motion arrows in Figure 1.
[0012] In the illustrated embodiment, the seat assembly
30 includes a padded seat portion
310 configured to comfortably support a child. The seat portion
310 further includes a harness
312 configured to be selectively-attached to the seat portion
310 in order to secure a child in the seat portion
310. The seat assembly
30 further includes a control device receiving portion (not shown) configured to receive
and selectively secure the bouncer control device
40 to the seat assembly
30. In other embodiments, the bouncer control device
40 is permanently secured to the seat assembly
30.
Bouncer Control Device
[0013] As shown in Figure 2, according to various embodiments, the bouncer control device
40 is comprised of a housing
410, user input controls
415, magnetic drive assembly
420, bouncer motion sensor
430, and bouncer control circuit
440. In the illustrated embodiment, the bouncer control device
40 further includes a power supply
450. In other embodiments, the bouncer control device
40 is configured to receive power from an externally located power supply. The housing
410 is comprised of a plurality of walls defining a cavity configured to house the magnetic
drive assembly
420, bouncer motion sensor
430, bouncer control circuit
440, and power supply
450. As described above, the housing
410 is configured to be selectively attached to the seat assembly
30. User input controls
415 (shown in more detail in Figure 1) are affixed to a front wall of the housing
410 and are configured to allow a user to control various aspects of the children's bouncer
apparatus (e.g., motion and sound). In the illustrated embodiment, the user input
controls
415 include a momentary switch configured to control the amplitude of the seat assembly's
30 oscillatory movement. In Figure 2, the bouncer control device
40 is shown with the user input controls
415 and an upper portion of the housing
410 removed.
[0014] According to various embodiments, the magnetic drive assembly
420 includes a first magnetic component, second magnetic component, and a drive component.
The drive component is configured to impart a motive force to the seat assembly
30 in response to a magnetic force between the first magnetic component and second magnetic
component. At least one of the first magnetic component and second magnetic component
is an electromagnet (e.g., an electromagnetic coil) configured to generate a magnetic
force when supplied with electric current. For example, according to embodiments in
which the second magnetic component is an electromagnet, the first magnetic component
may be any magnet (e.g., a permanent magnet or electromagnet) or magnetic material
(e.g., iron) that responds to a magnetic force generated by the second magnetic component.
Similarly, according to embodiments in which the first magnetic component is an electromagnet,
the second magnetic component may be any magnet or magnetic material that responds
to a magnetic force generated by the first magnetic component.
[0015] Figure 3 shows the interior of the bouncer control device
40 of Figure 2 with the mobile member
424 and electromagnetic coil
422 removed. In the illustrated embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, the first magnetic component
comprises a permanent magnet
421 (shown in Figure 4) formed by three smaller permanent magnets stacked lengthwise
within an magnet housing
423. The second magnetic component comprises an electromagnetic coil
422 configured to receive electric current from the power supply
450. The drive component comprises a mobile member
424 and a reciprocating device. The mobile member
424 is a rigid member having a free end
425 and two arms
426a, 426b that extend to a pivoting end
427. The arms
426a, 426b are pivotally connected to an interior portion of the housing
410 at pivot points
427a and
427b respectively. The free end
425 of the mobile member
424 securely supports the electromagnetic coil
422 and can support two weights
428 positioned symmetrically adjacent to the electromagnetic coil
422. As will be described in more detail below, the mobile member
424 is configured to rotate about its pivot points
427a,
427b in response to a magnetic force generated between the permanent magnet
421 and electromagnetic coil
422.
[0016] According to various embodiments, the reciprocating device is configured to provide
a force that drives the mobile member
424 in a direction substantially opposite to the direction the magnetic force generated
by the permanent magnet
421 and electromagnetic coil
422 drives the mobile member
424. In the illustrated embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, the reciprocating device is a spring
429 positioned below the free end
425 of the mobile member
424 and substantially concentric with the electromagnetic coil
422. The magnet housing
423 is arcuately shaped, has a substantially circular cross-section, and is positioned
substantially within the spring
429. In addition, the magnet housing
423 is shaped such that it fits within a cavity
422a of the electromagnetic coil
422. As is described in more detail below, the magnet housing
423 is positioned such that its cross section is concentric to the electromagnetic coil
422 at all points along the electromagnetic coil's
422 range of motion. In other embodiments, the magnet housing
423 is substantially vertical in shape.
[0017] According to various embodiments, the bouncer motion sensor
430 is a sensor configured to sense the frequency at which the seat assembly
30 is vertically oscillating at any given point in time and generate a frequency signal
representative of that frequency. According to one embodiment, the bouncer motion
sensor
430 comprises a movable component recognized by an optical sensor (e.g., a light interrupter).
According to another embodiment, the bouncer motion sensor
430 comprises an accelerometer. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, according
to various embodiments, the bouncer motion sensor
430 may be any sensor capable of sensing the oscillatory movement of the seat assembly
30 including a Hall effect sensor.
[0018] In one embodiment, the bouncer motion sensor
430 comprises a piezoelectric motion sensor. Figure 5 provides a schematic diagram of
a piezoelectric motion sensor
530 according to one embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the piezoelectric motion
sensor
530 comprises a housing
531, a piezoelectric sensor
533, and a weighted member in the form of a weighted ball
535. The housing
531 is a generally hollow cylinder and defines an elongated interior channel
532 having a central longitudinal axis
536. According to various embodiments, the housing
531 and channel
532 are oriented generally vertically with respect to the bouncer control device
40. The weighted ball
535 is positioned within the channel
532 and is configured to move within the channel
532. As shown in Figure 5, the channel
532 is dimensioned such that the weighted ball's movement is substantially constrained
to movement in the direction of the channel's longitudinal axis
536.
[0019] The motion sensor
530 also includes a piezoelectric sensor
533 positioned within the housing
531 at the lower end of the channel
532. In particular, the piezoelectric sensor
533 includes a sensing surface
534 and is oriented such that the sensing surface
534 is generally perpendicular to the channel's longitudinal axis
536. In addition, according to various embodiments, the motion sensor
530 is secured within the housing
410 of the bouncer control device
40 such that, when the seat assembly
30 is at rest, the sensing surface
534 is generally parallel to the support surface on which the bouncer's support frame
20 rests.
[0020] According to various embodiments, the piezoelectric sensor
533 is configured to generate a voltage signal corresponding to the magnitude of compressive
force applied to the sensor's sensing surface
534. When the seat assembly
30 is at rest, the weighted ball
535 will remain at rest with its weight applying a constant resting force to the sensing
surface
534. As such, the piezoelectric sensor
533 will output a constant voltage when the seat assembly
30 is at rest. However, when seat assembly
30 oscillates vertically, the motion sensor
530 moves with the seat assembly
30 and causes the weighted ball
535 to exert varying magnitudes of compressive force on the sensing surface
534 as the seat assembly
30 accelerates and decelerates, upwardly and downwardly.
[0021] For example, when the seat assembly
30 is at its lowest position and begins accelerating upward, the weighted ball
535 experiences g-forces in excess of 1 g as gravitational forces push it against the
sensing surface
534. As a result, the weighted ball
535 applies a compressive force greater than the resting compressive force. As the seat
assembly
30 continues upward and passes its resting position, the seat assembly
30 begins decelerating. As a result, the weighted ball
535 experiences g-forces of less than 1 g and the compressive force applied by the weighted
ball
535 decreases to a magnitude less than the resting compressive force. When the seat assembly
30 reaches its highest position and begins accelerating downwardly in the opposite direction,
the weighted ball
535 continues to experience g-forces of less than 1 g and applies a compressive force
that is less than the resting compressive force. Indeed, in certain embodiments, the
weighted ball
535 may lift off of the sensing surface
534 and apply no compressive force for a certain period during the seat assembly's upward
deceleration or downward acceleration. As the seat assembly
30 continues downward and again passes its resting position, the seat assembly
30 begins decelerating. As a result, the weighted ball
535 again experiences g-forces in excess of 1 g and applies a compressive force to the
sensing surface
534 that is greater than the resting compressive force. When the seat assembly
30 reaches its lowest position, the oscillation cycle begins again.
[0022] As a result of the varying compressive forces applied by the weighted ball
535 to the sensing surface
534, the piezoelectric sensor
533 generates a voltage signal that varies in accordance with the motion of the seat
assembly
30. Thus, the signal generated by the piezoelectric motion sensor
530 is generally representative of the movement of the motion sensor
530 and indicative of the frequency of the motion sensor's oscillation with respect to
the longitudinal axis
536. As explained in greater detail below, the piezoelectric motion sensor
530 may be configured such that its output signal is filtered by an amplifier
539 and transmitted to the bouncer control circuit
440 for use in controlling the operation of the bouncer control device
40.
[0023] As will be appreciated from the description herein, various aspects of the piezoelectric
motion sensor
530 may be modified according to various other embodiments of the sensor. For example,
in certain embodiments the weighted ball
535 may be constrained within the channel
532 such that it is always in contact with the sensing surface
534 of the piezoelectric sensor
533, but is permitted to apply compressive forces of different magnitudes as the motion
sensor
530 moves. In other embodiments, a weighted member may be affixed to the sensing surface
534 and configured to apply compressive and/or expansive forces in response to the motion
of the sensor
530. In addition, according to various embodiments, the housing
531 and channel
532 may be may be cylindrical, rectangular, or other suitable shapes, and the weighted
member may be any mobile object of sufficient mass to be sensed by the piezoelectric
sensor
533.
[0024] The bouncer control circuit
440 can be an integrated circuit configured to control the magnetic drive assembly
420 by triggering the power supply
450 to transmit electric current pulses to the electromagnetic coil
422 according to a control algorithm (described in more detail below). In the illustrated
embodiment, the power supply
450 is comprised of one or more batteries (not shown) and is configured to provide electric
current to the electromagnetic coil
422 in accordance with a control signal generated by the bouncer control circuit
440. According to certain embodiments, the one or more batteries may be disposable (e.g.,
AAA or C sized batteries) or rechargeable (e.g., nickel cadmium or lithium ion batteries).
In various other embodiments, the power supply
450 is comprised of a linear AC/DC power supply or other power supply using an external
power source.
[0025] Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view of one embodiment of the bouncer control
device
40. In the illustrated embodiment, the permanent magnet
421 is formed from three individual permanent magnets positioned within the magnet housing
423, although fewer or more individual magnets could be used. Damping pads
474 are positioned at the top and bottom ends of the permanent magnet
421 to hold the permanent magnet
421 securely in place and prevent it from moving within the magnet housing
423 in response to a magnetic force from the electromagnetic coil
422, which might create noise. According to certain embodiments, damping material (not
shown) may also be positioned within the housing
410 above the free end
425 of the mobile member
424 to prevent the mobile member
424 from striking the housing
410.
[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the spring
429 extends upwardly from the housing
410 to the bottom edge of the free end of the mobile member
424. As described above, the magnet housing
423 is positioned within the spring
429 and extends upwardly through a portion of the cavity
422a (shown in Figure 2) of the electromagnetic coil
422. As shown in Figure 4, the mobile member
424 is free to rotate about pivot points
427a and
427b between an upper position
471 and a lower position
472. As the mobile member
424 rotates between the upper position
471 and lower position
472, the electromagnetic coil
422 follows an arcuate path defined by the length of the mobile member
424. Accordingly, the magnet housing
423 is curved such that, as the mobile member
424 rotates between its upper position
471 and lower position
472, the electromagnetic coil
422 will not contact the magnet housing
423. According to other embodiments, the magnet housing
423 is substantially vertically shaped and dimensioned such that it does not obstruct
the path of the mobile member
424.
[0027] According to various embodiments, the bouncer control circuit
440 is configured to control the electric current transmitted to the electromagnetic
coil
422 by the power supply
450. In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply
450 transmits electric current in a direction that causes the electromagnetic coil
422 to generate a magnetic force that repels the electromagnetic coil
422 away from the permanent magnet
421. When the electromagnetic coil
422 is not supplied with electric current, there is no magnetic force generated between
the permanent magnet
421 and electromagnetic coil
422. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, the mobile member
424 rests at its upper position
471. However, when a magnetic force is generated by supplying electric current to the
electromagnetic coil
422, the magnetic force pushes the electromagnetic coil
422 downward and causes the mobile member
424 to rotate toward its lower position
472. This occurs because the permanent magnet
421 is fixed within the stationary magnet housing
423, while the electromagnetic coil
422 is affixed to the mobile member
424. According to other embodiments, the power supply
450 transmits electric current in a direction that causes the electromagnetic coil
422 to generate a magnetic force that attracts the electromagnetic coil
422 toward the permanent magnet
421.
[0028] When provided with current having sufficient amperage, the magnetic force generated
by the electromagnetic coil
422 will cause the mobile member
424 to compress the spring
429 and, as long as current is supplied to the electromagnetic coil
422, will cause the mobile member
424 to remain in its lower position
472. However, when the power supply
450 stops transmitting electric current to the electromagnetic coil
422, the electromagnetic coil
422 will stop generating the magnetic force holding the mobile member
424 in its lower position
472. As a result, the spring
429 will decompress and push the mobile member
424 upward, thereby rotating it to its upper position
471. Similarly, if a sufficiently strong pulse of electric current is transmitted to
the electromagnetic coil
422, the resulting magnetic force will cause the mobile member
424 to travel downward, compressing the spring
429. The angular distance the mobile member
424 rotates and the angular velocity with which it rotates that distance is dependent
on the duration and magnitude of the pulse of electric current. When the magnetic
force generated by the pulse dissipates, the spring
429 will decompress and push the mobile member
424 back to its upper position
471.
[0029] In accordance with the dynamic properties described above, the mobile member
424 will vertically oscillate between its upper position
471 and lower position
472 in response to a series of electric pulses transmitted to the electromagnetic coil
422. In the illustrated embodiment, the frequency and amplitude of the mobile member's
424 oscillatory movement is dictated by the frequency and duration of electric current
pulses sent to the electromagnetic coil
422. For example, electrical pulses of long duration will cause the mobile member
424 to oscillate with high amplitude (e.g., rotating downward to its extreme point, the
lower position
472), while electrical pulses of short duration will cause the mobile member
424 to oscillate with low amplitude (e.g., rotating downward to a non-extreme point above
the lower position
472). Similarly, electrical pulses transmitted at a high frequency will cause the mobile
member
424 to oscillate at a high frequency, while electrical pulses transmitted at a low frequency
will cause the mobile member
424 to oscillate at a low frequency. As will be described in more detail below, the mobile
member's
424 oscillation is controlled in response to the frequency of the support frame
20 and seat assembly
30 as identified by the bouncer motion sensor
430.
[0030] According to various embodiments, the bouncer control device
40 is configured to impart a motive force on the seat assembly
30 by causing the mobile member
424 to oscillate within the housing
410. As the bouncer control device
40 is affixed to the seat assembly
30, the momentum generated by the oscillatory movement of the mobile member
424 causes the seat assembly
30 to oscillate along its own substantially vertical path, shown by arrows in Figure
1. This effect is enhanced by the weights
428 secured to the free end
425 of the mobile member
424, which serve to increase the momentum generated by the movement of the mobile member
424. As will be described in more detail below, by oscillating the mobile member
424 at a controlled frequency and amplitude, the bouncer control device
40 causes the seat assembly
30 to oscillate at a desired frequency and amplitude.
Bouncer Control Circuit
[0031] According to various embodiments, the bouncer control circuit
440 comprises an integrated circuit configured to receive signals from one or more user
input controls
415 and the bouncer motion sensor
430, and generate control signals to control the motion of the seat assembly
30. In the illustrated embodiment, the control signals generated by the bouncer control
circuit
440 control the transmission of electric current from the power supply
450 to the electromagnetic coil
422, thereby controlling the oscillatory motion of the mobile member
424. As described above, high power efficiency is achieved by driving the seat assembly
30 at the natural frequency of the children's bouncer apparatus
10. However, the natural frequency of the children's bouncer apparatus
10 changes depending on, at least, the weight and position of a child in the seat assembly
30. For example, if a relatively heavy child is seated in the seat assembly
30, the children's bouncer apparatus
10 will exhibit a low natural frequency. However, if a relatively light child (e.g.,
a new-born baby) is seated in the seat assembly
30, the children's bouncer apparatus will exhibit a high natural frequency. Accordingly,
the bouncer control circuit
440 is configured to detect the natural frequency of the children's bouncer
10 and cause the mobile member
424 to drive the seat assembly
30 at the detected natural frequency.
[0032] According to various embodiments, the bouncer control circuit
440 first receives a signal from one or more of the user input controls
415 indicating a desired amplitude of oscillation for the seat assembly
30. In the illustrated embodiment, the user may select from two amplitude settings (e.g.,
low and high) via a momentary switch included in the user input controls
415. In another embodiment, the user may select from two or more preset amplitude settings
(e.g., low, medium, high) via a dial or other control device included in the user
input controls
415. Using an amplitude look-up table and the desired amplitude received via the user
input controls
415, the bouncer control circuit
440 determines an appropriate duration D-amp for the electrical pulses that will be sent
to the electromagnetic coil
422 to drive the seat assembly
30 at the natural frequency of the children's bouncer apparatus
10. The determined value D-amp is then stored by the bouncer control circuit
440 for use after the bouncer control circuit
440 determines the natural frequency of the bouncer.
[0033] According to the illustrated embodiment, to determine the natural frequency of the
bouncer, the bouncer control circuit
440 executes a programmed start-up sequence. The start-up sequence begins with the bouncer
control circuit
440 generating an initial control signal causing the power supply
450 to transmit an initial electrical pulse of duration D1 to the electromagnetic coil
422, thereby causing the mobile member
424 to rotate downward and excite the seat assembly
30. For example, Figure 6C shows a graph indicating an initial pulse transmitted to
the electromagnetic coil
422 and Figure 6A shows a graph indicating the responsive movement of the seat assembly
30. The magnetic force generated by the electromagnetic coil
422 in response to the initial pulse causes the mobile member
424 to stay in a substantially downward position for a time period substantially equal
to D1. As described above, while a continuous supply of electric current is supplied
to the electromagnetic coil
422, the mobile member
424 is held stationary at or near its lower position
472 and does not drive the seat assembly
30. Accordingly, during the time period D1, the seat assembly
30 oscillates at its natural frequency.
[0034] While the mobile member
424 is held stationary and the seat assembly
30 oscillates at its natural frequency, the bouncer control circuit
440 receives one or more signals from the bouncer motion sensor
430 indicating the frequency of the seat assembly's
30 oscillatory motion and, from those signals, determines the natural frequency of the
bouncer apparatus
10. For example, in one embodiment, the bouncer motion sensor
430 sends a signal to the bouncer control device
440 every time the bouncer motion sensor
430 detects that the seat assembly
30 has completed one period of oscillation. The bouncer control circuit
440 then calculates the elapsed time between signals received from the bouncer motion
sensor
430 to determine the natural frequency of the bouncer apparatus
10.
[0035] In certain embodiments in which the bouncer motion sensor
430 comprises the above-described piezoelectric motion sensor
530, the frequency-indicative voltage signal output by the piezoelectric motion sensor
530 is transmitted to an amplifier
539. As described above, the piezoelectric motion sensor
530 outputs a variable voltage corresponding to the oscillation of the seat assembly
30. According to various embodiments, the amplifier
539 is configured to filter the motion sensor's variable voltage signal and output one
of three signals indicative of the seat assembly's movement.
[0036] For example, in one embodiment, the amplifier
539 is configured to filter portions of the sensor's voltage signal corresponding to
a first voltage range (e.g., a voltage range generally produced by resting compressive
forces on the piezo sensing surface
534 when the seat assembly
30 is at rest) and output a first voltage (e.g., 2V) for the first filtered range. In
addition, the amplifier
539 is configured to filter portions of the sensor's voltage signal corresponding to
a second voltage range (e.g., a voltage range generally produced by high compressive
forces on the piezo sensing surface
534 when the seat assembly
30 is accelerating upwardly or decelerating downwardly) and output a second voltage
(e.g., 3V) for the second filtered range. Further, the amplifier
539 is configured to filter portions of the sensor's voltage signal corresponding to
a third voltage range (e.g., a voltage range generally produced by low compressive
forces on the piezo sensing surface
534 when the seat assembly
30 is decelerating upwardly or accelerating downwardly) and output a third voltage (e.g.,
IV) for the third filtered range. As a result, the amplifier
539 generates a filtered signal having a first voltage when the seat assembly
30 is at rest, a second voltage when the seat assembly
30 is accelerating upwardly or decelerating downwardly, and a third voltage when the
seat assembly
30 is decelerating upwardly or accelerating downwardly.
[0037] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, when the seat assembly
30 is oscillating vertically, changes in the voltage of the filtered signal output by
the amplifier
539 (shown in Fig. 6B) correspond to half-cycles of the seat assembly's oscillation.
Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the bouncer control circuit
440 is configured to identify the time elapsed between changes in the filtered signal's
voltage and determine the frequency of the seat assembly's oscillation over the course
of the time period D1. In other embodiments, the bouncer control circuit
440 may be configured to analyze the signal output by the piezoelectric motion sensor
530 directly without the use of an amplifier
539.
[0038] If, over the course of the time period D1, the bouncer control circuit
440 does not receive one or more signals from the bouncer motion sensor
430 that are sufficient to determine the natural frequency of the bouncer apparatus
10, the bouncer control circuit
440 causes the power supply
450 to send a second initial pulse to the electromagnetic coil
422 in order to further excite the bouncer apparatus
10. In one embodiment, the second initial pulse may be of a duration D2, where D2 is
a time period retrieved from a look-up table and is slightly less than D1. The bouncer
control circuit
440 is configured to repeat this start-up sequence until it determines the natural frequency
of the bouncer apparatus
10.
[0039] After completing the start-up sequence to determine the natural frequency of the
children's bouncer apparatus
10, the bouncer control circuit
440 will generate continuous control signals causing the power supply
450 to transmit pulses of electric current having a duration D-amp at a frequency equal
to the natural frequency of the children's bouncer apparatus
10. By detecting the oscillatory motion of the seat assembly
30 via the bouncer motion sensor
430, the bouncer control circuit
440 is able to synchronize the motion of the mobile member
424 to the motion of the seat assembly
30, thereby driving the seat assembly's motion in the a power efficient manner. The
bouncer control circuit
440 will thereafter cause the bouncer apparatus
10 to bounce continuously at a frequency which is substantially that of the natural
frequency of the children's bouncer apparatus
10. For example, as shown in Figures 6A-6C, the bouncer control circuit
440 can be configured to time pulses transmitted to the electromagnetic coil
422 (Fig. 6C) based on the filtered frequency signal received from the amplifier
539 (Fig. 6B), and in accordance with the position of the seat assembly
30 (Fig. 6A), in order to maintain the seat assembly's frequency of oscillation. As
shown in illustrated embodiment of Figure 6C, when the seat assembly
30 moves toward its lowest position, the bouncer control circuit
440 is configured to trigger a pulse to the electromagnetic coil
422 that rotates the mobile member
424 downward, compresses the spring
429, and drives the seat assembly
30 downward. The pulse triggered by the bouncer control circuit
440 has a duration that expires as the seat assembly
30 is moving upwards, thereby causing the mobile member
424 to move upward as the spring
429 decompresses and drive the seat assembly
30 upward.
[0040] According to various embodiments, as the bouncer control circuit
440 is causing the seat assembly
30 to oscillate at the determined natural frequency, the bouncer control circuit
440 continues to monitor the frequency of the of seat assembly's
30 motion. If the bouncer control circuit
440 detects that the frequency of the seat assembly's
30 motion has changed beyond a certain tolerance, the bouncer control circuit
440 restarts the start-up sequence described above and again determines the natural frequency
of the bouncer apparatus
10. By doing so, the bouncer control circuit
440 is able to adapt to changes in the natural frequency of the bouncer apparatus
10 caused by the position or weight of the child in the seat assembly
30.
[0041] The embodiments of the present invention described above do not represent the only
suitable configurations of the present invention. In particular, other configurations
of the bouncer control device
40 may be implemented in the children's bouncer apparatus
10 according to various embodiments. For example, according to certain embodiments,
the first magnetic component and second magnetic component are configured to generate
an attractive magnetic force. In other embodiments, the first magnetic component and
second magnetic component are configured to generate a repulsive magnetic force.
[0042] According to various embodiments, the mobile member
424 of the magnetic drive assembly
420 may be configured to rotate upward or downward in response to both an attractive
or repulsive magnetic force. In one embodiment the drive component of the magnet drive
assembly
420 is configured such that the reciprocating device is positioned above the mobile member
424. Accordingly, in certain embodiments where the magnetic force generated by the first
and second magnetic components causes the mobile member
424 to rotate downward, the reciprocating device positioned above the mobile member
424 is a tension spring. In other embodiments, where the magnetic force generated by
the first and second magnetic components causes the mobile member
424 to rotate upward, the reciprocating device is a compression spring.
[0043] In addition, according to certain embodiments, the first magnetic component and second
magnetic components are mounted on the base portion
210 of the support frame
20 and a bottom front edge of the seat assembly
30 or support arms
220. Such embodiments would not require the drive component of the bouncer control device
40, as the magnetic force generated by the magnetic components would act directly on
the support frame
20 and seat assembly
30. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the algorithm controlling the
bouncer control circuit
440 may be adjusted to accommodate these various embodiments accordingly.
[0044] Furthermore, various embodiments of the bouncer control device
40 may be configured to impart a gentle, repetitive pulse force to the bouncer apparatus
10 that can be felt by a child positioned in the seat assembly
30. The pulse force may be repeated at a frequency equivalent to that of a human heartbeat
in order to provide a soothing heartbeat sensation to the child positioned in the
seat assembly
30.
[0045] For example, in certain embodiments, the bouncer control circuit
440 is configured to trigger electrical pulses to the electromagnetic coil
422 that cause the magnetic drive assembly's mobile member
424 to move upwards and strike an upper surface of the housing
410, thereby imparting a gentle pulse force to the housing
410 than can be felt in the seat assembly 30. In one embodiment, the control circuit
440 is configured to generate the above-described pulse force by first triggering a first
short pulse of electrical current to the electromagnetic coil
422 (e.g., a pulse having a duration of between 10 and 100 milliseconds with an average
magnitude of about 22 milliamps). This initial short pulse generates an attractive
magnetic force between the
422 and permanent magnet
421 and causes the drive assembly's mobile member
424 to rotate downward and compress the spring
429.
[0046] Next, the bouncer control circuit
440 allows for a short delay (e.g., between 1 and 100 milliseconds) in which no electrical
current is supplied to the coil
422. During this delay period, the spring
429 decompresses and pushes the mobile member
424 upwards. Next, the bouncer control circuit
440 triggers a second short pulse of electrical current to the electromagnetic coil
422. The second pulse may be slightly longer than the first pulse (e.g., a pulse having
a duration of between 20 and 200 milliseconds with an average magnitude of about 22
milliamps) and the direction of the second pulses 'current is reversed from that of
the first pulse. As such, the second short pulse generates a repulsive magnetic force
between the coil
422 and permanent magnet
421 and causes the drive assembly's mobile member
424 to rotate upwards and strike an upper surface of the housing
421. The impact of the mobile member
424 on the housing
421 results in a gentle pulse force that can be felt by a child in the seat assembly
30.
[0047] According to various embodiments, the bouncer control circuit
440 is configured to repeat the above-described steps at a particular frequency in order
to generate repetitive, gentle pulse forces in the seat assembly
30. In certain embodiments, the bouncer control circuit
440 to configured to repeatedly generate the gentle pulse force in the seat assembly
30 at a constant frequency between
60 and 100 pulses per minute (e.g., between 1.00 and 1.67 Hz). By generating repetitive
gentle pulse forces in the seat assembly
30 at a frequency within this range, a child positioned in the seat assembly
30 feels a pulsing sensation that mimics the heartbeat of a parent. In certain embodiments,
the bouncer control circuit
440 settings may be adjusted (e.g., via one or more user controls) such that the frequency
of the pulsing sensation matches the resting heartbeat of a parent-user.
[0048] According to various embodiments, the magnitude of the pulse forces transmitted through
the seat assembly
30 may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the magnitude of the electrical pulses
transmitted to the coil
422. In addition, in certain embodiments, damping pads can be positioned on the impact
portion upper surface of the housing
421 in order to damp the pulsing sensation felt by a child in the seat assembly
30.
[0049] In certain embodiments, the bouncer control device
40 may be configured with multiple control modes such that the device
40 can provide both the above-described natural frequency bouncer motion control and
the above-described heartbeat sensation effect. However, in other embodiments, the
device
40 may be configured specifically to perform one function or the other. For example,
in certain embodiments, the device
40 is specifically configured to impart the above-described heartbeat pulses. In such
embodiments, the device
40 may be reconfigured such that the mobile member
424 can be driven to impact the housing
421 in response to a single electrical pulse (e.g., where the height of the housing is
reduced, thereby reducing the angle through which the mobile member
424 must travel to impact the housing
421). Accordingly, the bouncer control circuit
440 may be reconfigured according to particular configurations of the device
40 in order to cause the drive assembly
420 to impart gentle, repetitive force pulses to the seat assembly
30. Furthermore, various embodiments of the bouncer control device
40 may be configured to be attached to, or integrated within, other infant support devices
(e.g., car seats, strollers) in order to provide the above-described heartbeat sensation
in such support devices.
CONCLUSION
[0050] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one
skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings
presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it
is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments
disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included
within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein,
they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
[0051] For the avoidance of doubt, the present application extends to the subject-matter
described in the following number paragraphs (referred to as "Para"):
- 1. A motion sensing apparatus comprising for a moving child support device, said motion
sensing apparatus comprising:
a housing defining a longitudinal axis;
at least one piezoelectric sensor having a sensing surface positioned within the housing;
and
a weighted member positioned within the housing and configured for movement in the
direction of the housing's longitudinal axis;
wherein the weighted member is configured to apply a variable force to the sensing
surface of the piezoelectric sensor in response to movement of the motion sensing
apparatus, and wherein the piezoelectric sensor is configured to output a voltage
signal corresponding to the magnitude of the variable force applied by the weighted
member, the output voltage signal being indicative of the motion sensing apparatus's
movement with respect to the housing longitudinal axis.
- 2. The motion sensing apparatus of Para 1, wherein, when the motion sensing apparatus
is oscillated, the output voltage signal is indicative of the frequency of the motion
sensing apparatus's oscillation with respect to the housing's longitudinal axis.
- 3. The motion sensing apparatus of Para 1, wherein the sensing surface of the piezoelectric
sensor is positioned proximate an end of the housing; and
wherein, when the motion sensing apparatus is oriented generally vertically with respect
to gravity such that the sensing surface is at a lower end of the housing:
the weighted member is configured to rest on the sensing surface and apply a constant,
resting compressive force to the sensing surface when the motion sensing apparatus
is at rest;
the weighted member is configured to apply a compressive force having a magnitude
greater than the resting compressive force when the motion sensing apparatus is accelerated
while moving upward and when the motion sensing apparatus is decelerated while moving
downward; and the weighted member is configured to apply a compressive force
having a magnitude less than the resting compressive force, or no compressive force,
when the motion sensing apparatus is accelerated while moving downward and when the
motion sensing apparatus is decelerated while moving upward.
- 4. The motion sensing apparatus of Para 1, wherein the weighted member comprises a
weighted ball.
- 5. The motion sensing apparatus of Para 1, wherein the housing comprises a hollow
cylinder.
- 6. The motion sensing apparatus of Para 1, wherein the sensing surface of the piezoelectric
sensor is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
- 7. A bouncer control device for controlling the generally upward and downward motion
of a children's bouncer, the bouncer control device comprising: a drive assembly configured
to be actuated in order to impart a motive force on the children's bouncer that causes
the children's bouncer to bounce, wherein the drive assembly is actuated by electric
current;
a power supply configured to transmit electric current to the drive assembly;
a piezoelectric motion sensor configured to sense the natural frequency of the children's
bouncer and generate a frequency signal representative of the natural frequency; and
a bouncer control circuit configured to:
receive the frequency signal from the piezoelectric motion sensor; and
generate a control signal, based at least in part on the received frequency signal,
that triggers the power supply to intermittently supply electric current to the drive
assembly and thereby cause the drive assembly to impart a motive force on the children's
bouncer that causes the bouncer to bounce at a frequency substantially equal to the
natural frequency.
- 8. The bouncer control device of Para 7, wherein the piezoelectric motion sensor comprises:
a housing defining a longitudinal axis;
at least one piezoelectric sensor including a sensing surface positioned within the
housing; and
a weighted member positioned within the housing and configured for movement within
the housing in the direction of the housing's longitudinal axis; wherein the weighted
member is configured to apply a variable force to the sensing surface of the piezoelectric
sensor in response to movement of the children's bouncer, and wherein the frequency
signal output by the piezoelectric sensor corresponds to the magnitude of the variable
force applied by the weighted member.
- 9. The bouncer control device of Para 8, wherein the motion sensor's housing is configured
such that the longitudinal axis of its housing is oriented vertically with respect
to the bouncer control device; and
wherein the sensing surface of the piezoelectric sensor is oriented substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing and is positioned proximate
a lower end of the housing.
- 10. The bouncer control device of Para 8, wherein the weighted member comprises a
weighted ball.
- 11. The bouncer control device of Para 8, wherein the housing comprises a hollow cylinder.
- 12. The bouncer control device of Para 7, wherein the drive assembly comprises an
electromagnetic drive assembly.
- 13. The bouncer control device of Para 7, further comprising a control device housing
configured to be removably affixed to said children's bouncer, wherein the drive assembly,
piezoelectric motion sensor, and control circuit are housed within the control device
housing.
- 14. A control device for an infant support configured for providing a soothing sensation
for a child position in the infant support, the control device comprising: a drive
assembly configured to impart repetitive pulse forces to the infant support with a
magnitude sufficient for the pulses to be felt by a child positioned in the infant
support; and
a control circuit configured to actuate the drive assembly and cause the drive assembly
to impart the repetitive pulse forces on the infant support at a frequency analogous
to the frequency of a resting human heartbeat.
- 15. The control device of Para 14, wherein the control circuit is configured to actuate
the drive assembly to impart the repetitive pulse forces at a frequency between 60
and 100 pulses per minute.
- 16. The control device of Para 14, wherein the drive assembly comprises: a housing
configured to be affixed to the infant support;
a mobile member positioned within the housing and configured to be actuated such that
it impacts a portion of the housing and imparts a pulse force to the housing.
- 17. The control device of Para 16, wherein the drive assembly further comprises an
electromagnet configured to drive the mobile member in response to receiving a pulse
of electric current;
wherein the control device is configured to generate a control signal causing a power
supply to intermittently supply electric current to the
electromagnet and thereby cause the mobile member to impact the housing at a frequency
between 60 and 100 times per minute.
- 18. The control device of Para 14, wherein the control device is configured to be
removably secured to an infant support.